(Note: Applicants should send the Application Form to the institution(s) / course provider(s) concerned for certification before submitting the application.)

Supporting Documents

Applicants have to submit copies of the following supporting documents:

Hong Kong Smart Identity Card;

One-way permit (if applicable);

Documentary proof of tuition fees paid;

Documentary proof of successful completion of the course(s) (e.g. a certificate of completion, a letter or a transcript from the institution / course provider certifying that the applicant has passed the relevant course assessment and attendance requirements.);

Front page of the bank passbook or bank statement showing the applicant’s name, account number and bank name / bank code (only accept saving / current accounts; please note that credit card accounts, fixed deposit accounts, foreign currency accounts and loans accounts are not acceptable. The name of the applicant on the account must be exactly the same as the name on the HK Smart Identity Card.); and

For those applicants study language proficiency course, they are required to submit copies of the following documents in relation to benchmark test / examination (if applicable):
(a) Benchmark test / examination result of passing the a specific benchmark test / examination (if applicable) at the specified (or higher) level; and
(b) Documentary proof of benchmark test / examination fee paid*

*Note: Benchmark test / examination alone are not reimbursable under CEF. Eligible applicants can apply for fee reimbursement of benchmark test / examination only if his / her claim is accompanied with a claim on relevant CEF language proficiency course. Only the examination fee contributing to passing the specified benchmark examination at the specified (or higher) level can be reimbursed. Also, applicants must not have obtained any other public funds or assistance under any other publicly-funded financial assistance schemes for the same examination fee.

Means of Submission

Applicants can submit their paper-based applications to the Office of the Continuing Education Fund (OCEF) in person or by mail, or place their paper-based applications in the designated drop-in boxes. The date of receipt of the application by the OCEF will be taken as the date of application submitted.

** Note: The drop-in boxes will be re-located during non-office hours. Please contact the OCEF through the 24-hour hotline at 3142 2277 to confirm the location and the available time if you wish to submit your application to a drop-in box during non-office hours.

Applicants can also complete and submit the online application form through “GovHK” . After the on-line submission of the application form and the required documents, applicants are required to print a hard copy of the form and sign at Part D Declaration, and then submit the form for certification by institution / course provider concerned to prove that the applicants have successfully completed the course(s) concerned. Original of the certified and signed application form should be submitted to OCEF within 14 days after on-line submission for further processing.

Processing Time

Application results will be issued within 6 weeks from the date of receipt of the application for existing CEF account holders or 8 weeks for applicants who submit an application for the first time, subject to the provision of complete and accurate information.

In case the CEF reimbursement has to be made to offset the Non-means-tested Loan Scheme loans borrowed by the applicant for paying the tuition fee for the same course, the processing time will be longer.